14 Budget-Friendly Home Upgrades You Should Make This Year

by Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Inc. on March 2, 2019

Everybody wants to turn their house into their dream home, or at least make small updates here and there, but the thought of shelling out all that cash can be daunting. Whether you’re refreshing your space or getting ready to sell, renovating your home is a huge financial decision. Fortunately, a complete renovation is not the only way to upgrade your space. In fact, a few small changes can make a huge difference, and they don’t have to cost you a fortune.

Read on for 14 small ways to make a big difference, both on the inside and outside of your home – without breaking the bank.

Make over your walls.

You don’t have to paint four walls to have the extreme makeover effect. Painting an accent wall is a small investment that makes a huge improvement within your home. Not only can itincrease your home’s value (a bonus if you’re looking to sell), but it also brings a drastic and perennial change to the space. Painting allows you to fill the space corresponding to your unique personality and sense of style. Choose a paint color and freshen up your space. If you’re planning on selling, you should stick to more neutral shades. You can pick accessories, such as light fixtures, accent pillows, or even a rug, to match.

While you’re at it, you might consider brightening the trim around the base with a high-gloss white or other lightly-colored paint for an extra glow factor.

Give your windows the royal treatment.

Consider painting the interiors of your window frames a fresh coat of bright white or install some molding to make them look larger and add a fresh pop to your room. You can also swap out your old curtains for some new drapes for an instant update. Wispier, lighter curtains add a soft and romantic ambiance, while stronger colors and designs make a bold statement. Changing out the draperies allows you to create the illusion of taller windows if you install the rods at ceiling height.

Paint your cabinets.

The kitchen is a universal hub for people to gather, so you want to make sure yours is looking good. Adding new cabinetry is an expensive task, but a couple of coats of fresh paint will give your kitchen the makeover you so desire. Add a pop of color with a retro red paint, or consider a white finish to open up your space. And again,color psychology is very real, so you can set the tone for your space.

Swap out your cabinet hardware.

Speaking of the kitchen, you can also swap out your cabinet hardware! Swapping out your cabinet pulls and knobs for a new set can give your kitchen a whole new feel and can cost as little as $100. Pick your hardware based on what style or vibe you’re trying to effect. Faceted glass knobs give off a more vintage feel, while some chrome knobs will effect a sleek and contemporary style.

Lighten up. Or dim it down!

You learned from ourlast blog the importance of lighting, and windows are only half of the equation. Walk through your home. Could your lighting fixtures use a refresh? Swapping out a lamp or chandelier can drastically alter the vibe of the room. You can add recessed lighting to traditional lighting fixtures or even install a smart lighting system. Your options for revamping your home lighting are incredibly flexible, and they won’t break the bank.

For a cozier mood, you can install dimmer switches to your lighting system for$60-$135.

Trade out your light plates.

Speaking of lighting, why not take a look at the switch plates? It’s a great, budget-friendly option for a quick revamp. You can have designer looking accessories for less than$10! Trade out your bland and dull switch plates for some sleek chrome or warm wood. Maybe even consider matching them to your paint trim.

Revitalize your fixtures.

Do a thorough walk-through of your home, this time, focusing on the various fixtures throughout your house. Take a look at your faucet heads and handles. What about your door knobs, hinges and locks? Are they a tad rusty? Could they use an update? These are all very easy and fairly inexpensive to replace.

Amp up the tech.

Consider the addition of smart home technology. We have talked about the different smart tech options in ourprevious blog, and all of those options are very applicable for a budget-friendly makeover. You can forget the days of fumbling for your keys with a new keyless smart lock. You can install smart light switches and control your home’s lighting from your phone. You can even keep an eye out on your pets from work! The options for what you can do with smart home technology are increasing by the day, meaning more and more affordable alternatives are on the rise.

Paint your front door.

First impressions matter, and your front door certainly sets the tone for the rest of your house. Painting your door a new color can make a world of difference, and the best part about paint (other than the price) is that you really have unlimited options for color choices.Color psychology is a very real thing, as well, so consider researching different tones and shades to set the mood to your house. And while you’re at it, consider if any interior doors could use a refresh as well.

Install new house numbers.

While we’re outside, let’s talk about some more small updates you can make. Small, dull address numbers not only drag your curb appeal down, but they can also prevent visitors (or even first responders) from finding your home. You can swap out your old ones for bigger, clearer numbers for under $20! You have options, too— from wrought iron and bold brass, to those made from ceramic or an elegant brushed nickel.

Add some flower power.

Never underestimate the power of plants. Increase curb appeal and put your green thumb to work! Simply adding some extra plants to the porch or the entryway adds a whole new level of beauty. You can also add a raised flower bed in your lawn. All you’ll need is some soil, flowers, and whichever material you choose to build from (typically complementary to your home’s materials— brick, wood, stone, etc.). They’ll add a nice splash of color and some much needed brightness to anyone’s day.

Add a seated area outdoors.

Head to your local Home Depot or even cruise throughamazon.com to find cute, affordable outdoor seating and table options. The simple addition of a seating area, no matter how small, to your lawn or porch gives the illusion that your yard is more spacious than it is. It also gives you and your guests another option to hang out— and we all need to spend more time outdoors, right?

Update your mailbox.

Has your current mailbox seen better days? After withstanding the weather for so many years, it might be a good idea to replace it with a cleaner or more decorative mailbox to add to your curb appeal. Your local hardware stores will have some nice ones in the $100 range.

Spruce up your shutters.

We didn’t forget about the outside of your windows! Adding new shutters costs very little and can completely overhaul the look of your home’s exterior. You can choose to build your own shutters (if you’re the handier type) and paint them to your liking, or you can choose from a variety of pre-made options.Plantation shutters are an excellent option to consider, as they are energy efficient!